The Chiropractic Forum and Radiologic Health Section of the American Public Health Association needs a total of 400 new members by September 1, 1993 to adequately represent the interests of the chiropractic profession in this large and influential multidisciplinary organization of over 30,000 members.
Health Care Reform Proposals and APHA Influence
The APHA is one of the most active groups in Washington where issues of health are concerned. It is the APHA that has actively participated in the development and review of several health care reform proposals. On this issue alone, it is essential that the chiropractic profession increase its level of activity and influence within the APHA. Dr. Jerome McAndrews, American Chiropractic Association's vice president of Professional Affairs stated, "With the advent of national health, and at this critical time in political history, it is vital that chiropractic not lose its right to representation within APHA." The members of the Chiropractic Forum couldn't agree more.
With the interest and attention that chiropractors exhibit in health promotion and disease prevention, industrial health, nutrition, and environmental issues, a high level of involvement in the world's largest public health organization would be a natural for the growth and maturation of the chiropractic profession.
APHA Recognizes Chiropractic As Effective
Since 1983, the APHA has recognized chiropractic as "safe and effective for neuromusculoskeletal conditions." It is our good fortune that APHA President Dr. Helen Rodriques-Trias has been a chiropractic patient since 1975 and has actively encouraged chiropractors to become participatory members of the APHA.
We Need Members Now!!!
Chiropractors have participated in the APHA since 1983 as Chiropractic Forum members and members of the Radiologic Health Section. Sections are each represented by two or more members (depending on section size) of the Governing Council of APHA, the body where APHA policies and actions are decided. Through the participation of chiropractors in the Radiologic Health Section, doctors of chiropractic have been appointed to the Board of Governors in the past. But this section is in danger of being disenfranchised due to low membership. We need to boost this section's membership with 100 new members by September 1, 1993 if we are to maintain this means of representation in the APHA.
At the same time, the Chiropractic Forum is striving to achieve the important section status that would allow equal representation of our profession on the Board of Governors. To achieve section status, the forum needs at least 500 new members by September 1, 1993, and must maintain a membership of 500 for three consecutive years. Currently we have 250 members, so the goal of 300 should safely put us over the 500 mark.
Representatives from a number of the chiropractic colleges were present at the November Annual APHA meeting in Washington, D.C., and a plan for a college-based membership drive was constructed. Through public health instructors, other faculty members of APHA, and the student councils of each campus, campaign materials will be distributed and memberships collected and tabulated with results to be printed in Dynamic Chiropractic on an ongoing basis through September.
Join Now and Support Your Profession and Your College
For membership information contact one of the following APHA representatives, your student council representatives, or the public health instructor of your college. Students and all chiropractic supporters and professionals are encouraged to join. (A copy of the APHA membership form is on page 5 of this issue. Send your applications to:
Jill Simecka, BSN, DC, Chiropractic Forum membership chairperson, Palmer College of Chiropractic-West, 890 Pomeroy Ave., Santa Clara, Ca., 95051, (408) 983-4042.
Why Should Chiropractic Doctors, Students, and Faculty Join the American Public Health Association?
William S. Jose, PhD, president of the APHA Chiropractic Forum and director of research at Northwestern College of Chiropractic
- In the area of health policy, the APHA is the most influential health organization in Washington, D.C.
- Chiropractors have expertise in the public health issues of health promotion and the epidemic of back pain.
- Chiropractors care about such issues as domestic violence, substance abuse, and environmental health.
- The needs of the chiropractic profession must be represented in the consideration of the coming health care reform. APHA is an important means to that end.
- The APHA is extremely active within the United States Congress in the process of development and review of National Health Plan proposals.
- Membership in the APHA provides an opportunity to work with other professions toward the solution of health problems plaguing America.
- The Chiropractic Forum needs 300 new members by September 1, 1993 to gain section status.
- The Radiologic Health Section, whose membership has been largely comprised of DCs, needs 50 new chiropractic members by September 1, 1993 to maintain section status.
- Sections are represented on the Governing Council of APHA, the decision making body of this powerful organization. We need to be there.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
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